Realizing she’d stopped and feeling Roman’s panic, she kissed her father on the cheek, dropped his arm, and walked as fast as she could toward her mate. Roman met her halfway, and she jumped into his arms, burying her face in his neck.
“I can’t tell if you’re upset or not,” Roman murmured against her ear. “It feels like you’re happy, but I’m going to be honest, seeing the woman you’re supposed to marry stop in the middle of the aisle is worrisome.”
He tried to joke but she could feel his nerves. “You’re wearing my favorite color,” she mumbled against his neck. “You’re supposed to be wearing human grass green.”
His chuckle and affection touched her both inside and out. “You said it was ugly,” he reminded her, “and suggested I change our royal color to violet purple.”
Popping her head back, she looked at him, trying to discern what he’d said. “You didn’t.”
“He did,” his father, the former king, muttered from close by. “Had new banners made and everything. Cost a fortune.”
“Shut up,” Roman’s mother hissed, hitting his arm playfully.
Or maybe not so playfully if his wince and smirk in her direction were anything to go by.
“That’s absurd, Roman,” Violet said, turning her attention back to her mate. “The Tropical Kingdom’s royal color has been green since the beginning of time.”
Roman shrugged. “The circumstances of our mating will be what the history books focus on, not the change in banner colors.”
Violet kissed him and signaled for him to set her down. Walking to War, she kissed him on the head. “You look very handsome.” He chuffed, looking fit to be tied, and begrudgingly licked her hand.It appears someone didn’t want to wear his new coat.
Roman had done so much for her that she refused to deny him this. Standing in front of their loved ones, with no strangers other than the council, she appreciated the change.
It came time for the blood exchange, and Violet stared at the small dagger in her hand. “I don’t think I can cut you.”
To pass the royal fae powers from the royal heir to their mate, they sealed their marriage by wiping holy oil on a small part of each other’s skin, nicking the oiled skin until it bled, and licking their partner’s blood.Gross.
“I’ll make the incisions,” Roman replied and took the dagger. “You place the oil and do the licking.” The way he said the last part made her squirm, and his satisfaction slid down the bond.
Glaring up at his smug smile, she closed her eyes and thought of everything they’d done the night before, working herself up. Popping her eyes open, she grinned deviously at her mate as he adjusted himself and promised retribution under his breath.
Roman leaned down, hovering his lips next to Violet’s ear. “Where do you want to lick me, mate?”
“Our parents are here,” she whispered with a warning glare. Flicking her eyes to the dagger in his hand, she considered stabbing him with it.
He laughed loudly, much like he’d done their first day of class, and she couldn’t help but laugh, too. “Your wrist,” she decided and grabbed his non-dominant hand.
Amused disappointment trickled down the bond, and she couldn’t help but tease him. “I’ll lick you somewhere else later.”
Apparently, she’d not whispered quietly enough, because Slayton groaned, “Come on, guys.”
Violet’s face heated, and Roman laughed even louder.Jerk. Dabbing a bit of holy oil on Roman’s wrist, she watched him slice the delicate skin. The metallic taste of Roman’s blood hit Violet’s tongue, and she tried not to look repulsed. Why couldn’t they just press their cuts together and trade blood that way?
Roman stepped into Violet’s space, moved her hair to the side, and tilted her head sideways. The officiant dabbed a bit of oil on Roman’s finger, and he ran a sensual trail down Violet’s neck.
Everything happened in slow motion. Roman handing off the dagger and sinking his teeth into Violet’s neck. She screamed and latched onto his shoulders, and the onlookers gasped in surprise. Roman’s father was barking orders or scolding Roman, Violet couldn’t be sure, all while Roman licked at the wound on her neck.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” she demanded, feeling his pride down the bond. Asking him questions did no good because his stare remained riveted on Violet’s neck.
“I hope it scars,” he said, finally looking at her.
She gaped at him. “You wanted to give me a scar?”Where did that dagger go?
He nodded and stared at the throbbing mark on her neck. “Everyone will know you’re taken.”
“Roman, everyone will know I’m the queen. Being taken is a given.”
“Not if they’re from another kingdom,” he argued as if biting someone to permanently mark them was a sane thing to do. Another lick to her wound, more satisfaction down the bond, and a heated look thrown her way, made her pussy pulse.
